Novel Theoretical Frameworks for Understanding Motivation for Change in Substance Use in the Broader Context of Well-being and Ill-being

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Background

To improve flourishing, it is essential to find ways to reduce harmful substance use. Core to this endeavour is understanding why some people engage in substance use that leads to harms, while others use in moderation, abstain, or experience minimal problems. There are genetic contributors to addictive behaviours, and people are more likely to engage in addictive behaviours if they have lower wellbeing, or a history of trauma. But how can these individuals, who are at increased risk of harm, be supported? Motivation for substance use is relevant to this question, and is a good therapeutic target as it focuses on individuals’ agency.

There have been many evidence-based efforts to change addictive behaviors. From these efforts much has been learned about the predictors and outcomes of harmful substance use. However, the study of addictive behaviors has often neglected theoretical understandings of why people engage in these behaviors. This makes it difficult to understand why certain interventions work, and why others do not. An exploration of motivation for substance use may shed further light on why some people use these substances to the point of harm.

Current understandings of why people engage in risky substance use are largely descriptive and do not present a framework to inform the role that substance use might play in the broader context of an individual’s life. More so, theories of substance use motivation are not well integrated with theories of psychological motivation. Only recently have researchers begun to apply macro theories of motivation to substance use (e.g., Self-Determination Theory which has shown promise for explaining substance use behaviors).

The goal of this topic is to encourage research that contributes to motivational theories of substance use. We hope that this research will provide a foundation to generate new testable hypotheses as to how substance use-related harms can be reduced.

Contributions to this Research Topic should present findings on, or commentary about the motivational underpinnings of substance use. We are particularly interested in work that examines moderators of the links between trauma, distress, or illbeing, and substance use. We welcome work that has a primary focus on substance use among First Nations peoples.

A wide range of papers can contribute to our theoretical understanding of why people engage in substance use. We welcome the following article types: original research, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, policy and practice reviews, hypothesis and theory articles, perspective or commentary articles, clinical trials, conceptual analysis, general commentary articles, and opinion articles.

Keywords: wellbeing, illbeing, substance use, theory, alcohol, drugs, trauma, mental disorders, addiction, motivation, behavior change

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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